NEET MDS 2026 Round 1 expected cutoff for EWS students is projected to close between ranks 800 and 2,000 for top specialties, while General-PwD closing ranks are expected between 1,500 and 4,000, based on 2024 and 2025 AIQ counselling trends.
The Medical Counselling Committee conducts NEET MDS All India Quota counselling across multiple rounds. Round 1 seat allotment is expected around July 20, 2026. EWS students must meet the 50th percentile — the same as the General category. PwD (General and EWS) students need the 45th percentile to be eligible for AIQ counselling.
- NEET MDS 2026 qualifying percentile for General and EWS students is 50th percentile.
- PwD (General and EWS) students must score at the 45th percentile to qualify.
- EWS seats are 10% of Unreserved seats in government dental colleges under AIQ.
- PwD students receive a 5% horizontal reservation across all categories.
- All rank ranges below are expected estimates based on 2024 and 2025 NEET MDS closing rank trends.
| Direct Link: NEET MDS 2026 AIQ Round 1 Counselling – natboard.edu.in (Expected July 20, 2026) |
NEET MDS 2026 Qualifying Cutoff by Category
Clearing the qualifying percentile makes you eligible for AIQ counselling registration — it does not guarantee a seat. Seat allotment in Round 1 depends on your NEET MDS rank and the specialty preferences you fill during the choice-filling window.
| Category | Qualifying Percentile |
|---|---|
| General | 50th Percentile |
| EWS | 50th Percentile |
| OBC | 40th Percentile |
| SC | 40th Percentile |
| ST | 40th Percentile |
| PwD (General and EWS) | 45th Percentile |
| PwD (OBC, SC, ST) | 40th Percentile |
NEET MDS 2026 Round 1 Expected Closing Rank for EWS
EWS students need a rank between 800 and 3,500 to secure a seat in Round 1, depending on specialty preference. EWS seats are 10% of UR seats, so the closing rank is typically higher numerically than the open General category rank for the same specialty. High-demand specialties such as Orthodontics and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery close at better ranks even within the EWS pool. All figures below are expected based on 2024 and 2025 trends.
| Specialty | Expected EWS Closing Rank – Round 1 2026 |
|---|---|
| Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics | 800 – 1,400 (expected) |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | 900 – 1,600 (expected) |
| Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge | 1,000 – 1,800 (expected) |
| Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics | 1,100 – 2,000 (expected) |
| Periodontics | 1,200 – 2,200 (expected) |
| Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry | 1,400 – 2,500 (expected) |
| Oral Medicine and Radiology | 1,800 – 3,000 (expected) |
| Oral Pathology and Microbiology | 2,200 – 3,500 (expected) |
| Public Health Dentistry | 2,200 – 3,500 (expected) |
Students applying under EWS must hold a valid certificate confirming annual family income below ₹8 lakh and no benefit from SC, ST, or OBC reservation. EWS certificate validity must be checked before selecting the EWS pool during counselling registration at natboard.edu.in.
NEET MDS 2026 Round 1 Expected Closing Rank for PwD
PwD students receive 5% horizontal reservation within their home category across all specialties in NEET MDS AIQ counselling. A student registered as PwD competes in a sub-category matching their base category — General-PwD, EWS-PwD, OBC-PwD, SC-PwD, or ST-PwD. Closing ranks for PwD sub-categories are typically higher numerically than the open-category rank, reflecting the smaller number of reserved PwD seats per specialty. All figures are expected based on past trends.
| PwD Sub-Category | Expected Round 1 Closing Rank 2026 |
|---|---|
| General-PwD | 1,500 – 4,000 (expected) |
| EWS-PwD | 2,000 – 5,000 (expected) |
| OBC-PwD | 2,500 – 6,000 (expected) |
| SC-PwD | 4,000 – 8,000 (expected) |
| ST-PwD | 5,000 – 10,000 (expected) |
PwD eligibility requires a valid disability certificate from a competent government authority. The type and percentage of disability must meet the threshold specified in the NBEMS NEET MDS 2026 information bulletin at natboard.edu.in.
Previous Year NEET MDS AIQ Round 1 Cutoff Trends
NEET MDS 2024 and 2025 AIQ Round 1 closing ranks provide the primary basis for predicting 2026 EWS and PwD cutoffs. The table below shows approximate category-wise closing rank ranges from the last two counselling cycles:
| Year | Category | Qualifying Percentile | Approx. AIQ Round 1 Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | General | 50th | 300 – 600 |
| 2025 | EWS | 50th | 700 – 1,800 |
| 2025 | OBC | 40th | 1,500 – 3,000 |
| 2025 | SC | 40th | 3,000 – 6,000 |
| 2025 | ST | 40th | 5,000 – 9,000 |
| 2025 | General-PwD | 45th | 1,200 – 3,500 |
| 2024 | EWS | 50th | 650 – 1,700 |
| 2024 | General-PwD | 45th | 1,100 – 3,200 |
Closing ranks for Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine, and Public Health Dentistry are consistently higher than those for surgical and restorative specialties. This pattern is expected to continue in 2026 across all categories.
Factors Affecting NEET MDS 2026 Round 1 Cutoff for EWS and PwD
Several variables directly shape where the Round 1 closing rank settles for EWS and PwD students:
- Total AIQ seats: An increase in government dental college MDS seats lowers closing ranks across all categories including EWS and PwD.
- Applicant count per category: More EWS or PwD students registering for Round 1 pushes closing ranks numerically higher.
- Specialty demand: Orthodontics and surgical specialties consistently attract stronger competition, keeping their cutoffs tight across all categories.
- NEET MDS 2026 paper difficulty: A harder exam compresses the score distribution and can shift closing rank thresholds in either direction.
- College-level seat matrix: Premier government dental colleges have fewer EWS and PwD seats, making them more competitive even within reserved pools.
NEET MDS 2026 EWS and PwD Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What qualifying percentile do EWS students need for NEET MDS 2026 AIQ counselling?
Ans. EWS students must score at the 50th percentile in NEET MDS 2026 — the same threshold as the General category. Meeting this makes you eligible to register for AIQ Round 1 counselling. Details are available at natboard.edu.in.
Ques. What is the qualifying percentile for PwD students in NEET MDS 2026?
Ans. PwD students from the General and EWS categories must score at the 45th percentile. PwD students in OBC, SC, and ST sub-categories must meet the 40th percentile to qualify for NEET MDS 2026 AIQ counselling.
Ques. Why is the EWS closing rank higher than the General category rank in NEET MDS?
Ans. EWS seats are 10% of Unreserved (UR) seats, forming a smaller pool. While EWS students need the same qualifying percentile as General students, fewer available EWS seats mean the closing rank number is typically higher than the UR closing rank for the same specialty.
Ques. Can a student with both EWS and PwD status claim dual reservation in NEET MDS?
Ans. Yes. A student certified as both EWS and PwD is placed in the EWS-PwD sub-category in AIQ counselling, allowing them to benefit from both horizontal (PwD, 5%) and vertical (EWS, 10%) reservation simultaneously during preference filling.
Ques. When will the official NEET MDS 2026 Round 1 closing ranks be published?
Ans. Round 1 seat allotment results and official closing ranks for all categories including EWS and PwD are expected on or around July 20, 2026. Students should check natboard.edu.in for the official allotment list after the result is declared.
Ques. Which NEET MDS specialty has the most relaxed EWS closing rank in Round 1?
Ans. Based on 2024 and 2025 trends, Oral Pathology and Microbiology and Public Health Dentistry have the highest (numerically worst) closing ranks for EWS students in Round 1. Students with a rank in the 2,200 to 3,500 range have a better chance in these specialties than in high-demand branches like Orthodontics.
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